Freshman Step-By-Step Language Placement Guide
Welcome to CUA! This step-by-step guide will guide you around the website of the Department of Greek and Latin to assist you in your language course placement. It will do so by asking you questions and directing you to links. Remember to return to this page after you have progressed through each step, and read all of the questions and answers thoroughly. Want to see placement exam dates and times? Scroll down to number 5., below.
1. Do you want to start Latin or Greek as a new language, or begin your own studies over again?
You will start in Latin 101 (LAT 101) or Greek 101 (GR 101). There are two possible sections of LAT 101, and one of Greek. Click here to see the department's fall schedule, and scroll down to view GR and LAT courses.
2. Did you take an AP Latin (any type) or SAT II Latin exam and have the scores sent to CUA?
Click here to view the freshman language placement charts that the department uses to place you based on your test scores. If you had your official AP or SAT II scores sent to CUA, you may register for courses based upon the indications in the charts. If you need electronic permission to register for a course you know your test scores have qualified you for, please click here to contact the department.
3. Are you still waiting for AP or SAT II test results but want to register now?
Enroll in Latin 101 (LAT 101) for the time being. (Click here to see the department's fall schedule.) If your scores show that you should be moved up, the department will provide electronic permission for you to change to a more advanced course.
4. Do you want to take the department's own Latin placement exam (or Greek placement exam)?
You may take these exams even if you have already submitted AP or SAT II scores, if you would like to try to improve your placement. Click on these links to learn more about the Latin placement exam (or the Greek placement exam).
5. Would you like to take a departmental language placement exam when you arrive on campus in August?
You should do two things now:
1) Register immediately for Latin 101 (LAT 101) and/or Greek 101 (GR 101).
2) Sign up with the department to take either or both placement exams as soon as possible.
The exams are offered during August orientation on Saturday from 9AM-12PM or on Sunday from 1PM-4PM. Exam takers should meet in the Department of Greek and Latin, McMahon 308. These are the only times that the exams are offered during fall orientation. You should be aware that each test is 3 full hours in length. The department will lend you a dictionary to use during the exam.
It is necessary to complete the relevant placement exam by the Sunday before classes begin to ensure that your course registration can be finalized in time for the start of classes. After the orientation exam dates, the department will email your test results to you in time for you to be at the right class on the first day.
Please contact the department to reserve a space to take the placement exam(s). (It is all right to walk in if you need to, but if you are planning to come, it would be very helpful to us to know in advance.)
6. Now you should be able to register for your Latin and/or Greek course(s). If you are still waiting for AP or SAT II scores or a departmental placement exam, register for LAT 101 or GR 101 for the time being, and you can be moved later.
By now you should also have decided when you would like to take a departmental language placement exam, if necessary. Check over the days and times listed above once more, click on these links to learn more about the Latin placement exam (or the Greek placement exam), and then contact the department to reserve a space to take the placement exam(s).
7. You may still have questions.
Click here to read the frequently-asked questions about undergraduate language placement.
8. You may want to see the full list of courses offered by the department during the fall semester.
Click here for the fall semester course schedule, and then click on the number of each course in the grid to read its course description.
9. Two last pieces of very important advice . . .
The Department of Greek and Latin cannot contact you to invite you to take placement tests, or to "check" that your language placement process is completed and you are in the correct course. The department does not have information on what language you took in high school or have studied previously. New students must identify themselves and, if they need exams, come to the department in person in order to be tested and placed. (Click here to contact the department.)
If you have not completed the placement process (including any departmental placement exams you want or need to take) before the start of fall classes, you may miss meetings of the language class you actually belong in. It is your responsibility to settle your placement by the Sunday before fall classes begin. The department will of course assist you if unforeseen circumstances mean that you must complete placement during the first week of classes, but for the sake of your language development and your academic work, you should try to avoid this situation if at all possible.
